Written question asked by Andrew George (Liberal Democrat) on Monday, 8 December 2003, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 18 December 2003. It was answered by Ben Bradshaw (Labour) on Thursday, 18 December 2003 on behalf of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

Dept for Environment Food and Rural Affairs

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps her Department takes to ensure the correct estimate of each year's wheat harvest is made. (Holding answer 11 December 2003).

Answer: Andrew George: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps her Department takes to ensure the correct estimate of each year's wheat harvest is made. [143668] Mr. Bradshaw: [holding answer 11 December 2003]: Estimating the size of the annual wheat harvest depends on information from a number of different sources gathered over time. A provisional estimate of planted area is normally published in September based on a combination of census and IACS data. Provisional yield information in the form of a production estimate is normally published in October. Updated figures are normally published in November and January respectively. A number of checks are in place to verify the information coming in from farmers, the processes and the credibility of the aggregate results. Unfortunately, the internal error in the calculation of this year's planted area figures was only discovered by Defra statisticians after the area results had been published, and a corrected Statistical Notice was therefore published on 1 December.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 415 c1039W;415 c1020W; 143668
Session: 2003-04
Subjects: Crops Cereals Production Statistics Integrated administration and control system Wheat
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk